Gaptooth is the first of a four part, short-form, coming-of-age documentary series. Our series will be set in four countries, across three continents (India, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Portugal), and will explore the changing face of masculinity in the murky gap between adolescences and adulthood.
We are looking to make the first of a four-part, short-form, documentary series that explores the idea of masculinity during the murky gap between adolescences and adulthood. Our series will look at how masculinity functions in society. At this moment in time, gender and gender politics are a highly passionate and sometimes volatile subject. This climate of discussion around gender and our observations of the changing face of masculinity inspired the idea for this documentary series. Amongst all this rightful media noise we are witnessing a redefinition of masculinity; what it means to identify as male. Hopefully, towards something more positive than the existing archetype.
We will watch subtle stories of masculinity unfold in differing social and cultural environments, from ex-mining communities in the UK to the pulsating nightlife scene in India. We are not going to make a documentary series about existing stereotypes. This is not a search for the Indian drag queen, or the steroid gym goer. Our approach is more candid. This is about the act of masculinity and how it functions within society, the everyday struggles and day to day victories. We’re sure that at times our series will satisfy this showcase of stereotypes, however our aim is primarily to normalise, not to idolise.
The series will not disregard the female perspective, as with both masculinity and femininity people of all gender identities often find themselves occupying both discourses. This is why we will open up our zine and exhibition as a platform for any artist to explore the subject of youth masculinity.
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